Labor's Civil War

Labor's Civil War examines the internal conflicts and power struggles within the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) during a critical period of change. The book documents key disputes between SEIU leadership and rank-and-file members over union democracy and organizing strategies. Author Steve Early draws from his decades of experience as a labor organizer and journalist to analyze the tensions between centralized control and local autonomy in modern labor unions. The narrative follows multiple SEIU campaigns and controversies, including healthcare organizing efforts and battles over union jurisdiction. The text incorporates first-hand accounts from union members, staff, and officials involved in these pivotal labor movement debates. Early presents primary source material including internal union documents, press coverage, and extensive interviews with participants. At its core, this work raises fundamental questions about the future direction of American labor unions and the balance between organizational growth and democratic representation. The conflicts described reflect broader challenges facing the U.S. labor movement in an era of declining union membership and economic transformation.

Most readers note this book provides an inside look at labor union conflicts, particularly regarding the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Reviews describe Early's perspective as that of a labor activist critical of top-down union management. Readers appreciate: - Detailed first-hand accounts of internal union disputes - Clear explanation of union governance issues - Well-documented sources and research Common criticisms: - Writing can be dense and academic - Some readers find Early's stance too biased against SEIU leadership - Focus is narrow and assumes prior knowledge of labor politics Ratings: Amazon: 4.2/5 (11 reviews) Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7 reviews) One reader on Amazon called it "required reading for anyone interested in the current state of the US labor movement." A Goodreads reviewer noted the book "assumes too much background knowledge for general readers."

Poor Workers' Unions by Vanessa Tait This history chronicles grassroots labor organizing movements among low-wage and immigrant workers from the 1960s to the early 2000s.

The Death and Life of American Labor by Stanley Aronowitz The text examines the decline of traditional unions and emergence of alternative labor movements in the United States.

No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age by Jane McAlevey This analysis compares different organizing models within the contemporary labor movement through case studies of unions and worker centers.

Strike for the Common Good by Rebecca Kolins Givan The book documents the wave of teacher strikes across the United States in 2018-2019 and their impact on labor organizing strategies.

Stayin' Alive: The 1970s and the Last Days of the Working Class by Jefferson Cowie This historical account traces the fragmentation of America's industrial working class through economic and cultural changes of the 1970s.

✦ Author Steve Early spent more than 27 years as an organizer and staff member of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), giving him unique insider perspective on labor union dynamics ✦ The book chronicles the largest labor union split in modern American history, when seven major unions broke away from the AFL-CIO in 2005 to form the Change to Win Federation ✦ The split involved unions representing over 6 million workers and resulted in the loss of about one-third of the AFL-CIO's membership ✦ Early documents how union disputes over organizing strategies and political direction led some labor leaders to spend more time fighting each other than fighting employers ✦ The book reveals how internal union democracy was often compromised during this period as top-down restructuring and mergers became increasingly common within major labor organizations